1.Dimethyl fumarate alleviates DEHP-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in maternal rats during pregnancy through NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway
Yue Jiang ; Yun Yu ; Lun Zhang ; Qianqian Huang ; Wenkang Tao ; Mengzhen Hou ; Fang Xie ; Xutao Ling ; Jianqing Wang
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):117-123
Objective :
To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism.
Methods :
Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3.
Results :
Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05).
Conclusion
DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.
2.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
3.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
4.USP29 alleviates the progression of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 through K48 deubiquitination
Sha HU ; Zhouxiang WANG ; Kun ZHU ; Hongjie SHI ; Fang QIN ; Tuo ZHANG ; Song TIAN ; Yanxiao JI ; Jianqing ZHANG ; Juanjuan QIN ; Zhigang SHE ; Xiaojing ZHANG ; Peng ZHANG ; Hongliang LI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):147-165
Background/Aims:
Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression.
Methods:
USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes.
Results:
USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5.
Conclusions
USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.
5.A Randomized Controlled,Double-Blind Study on Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方) in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris with Blood-Heat Syndrome
Xuewen REN ; Yutong DENG ; Huishang FENG ; Bo HU ; Jianqing WANG ; Zhan CHEN ; Xiaodong LIU ; Xinhui YU ; Yuanwen LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(16):1679-1686
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Huaban Jiedu Formulation (化斑解毒方, HJF) in treating psoriasis vulgaris with blood-heat syndrome. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 60 patients diagnosed with psoriasis vulgaris of blood-heat syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group, with 30 cases in each. The treatment group received HJF granules orally, one dose a day, combined with topical Qingshi Zhiyang Ointment (青石止痒软膏), while the control group received placebo granules, one dose a day, combined with the same topical ointment. Both groups were topically treated twice daily of 28 days treatment cours. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI), visual analogue scale for pruritus (VAS), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and psoriasis life stress inventory (PLSI) were assessed before treatment and on day 14 and day 28. Response rates for PASI 50 (≥50% reduction) and PASI 75 (≥75% reduction), as well as overall clinical efficacy, were compared between groups. Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were measured before and after 28 days of treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. ResultsAfter 28 days of treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in PASI total score, lesion area score, erythema, scaling, and infiltration scores, pruritus VAS score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the treatment group had significantly greater improvements in PASI total score and erythema score, TCM syndrome score, serum IL-6 and IL-17 levels, and PASI 50 response rate after 28 days (P<0.05). Between-group comparisons of score differences before and after 28-day treatment revealed that the treatment group showed significantly better improvements in PASI total, lesion area score, erythema score, TCM syndrome score, DLQI, PLSI, and inflammatory markers (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The total effective rate on day 14 and day 28 was 40.00% (12/30) and 83.33% (25/30) in the treatment group, versus 6.90% (2/29) and 41.38% (12/29) in the control group, respectively. The clinical efficacy in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). Mild gastric discomfort occurred in 3 patients in the treatment group and 1 in the control group. ConclusionHJF can effectively improve skin lesions and TCM symptoms relieve pruritus, enhance quality of life, and reduce inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-17, in patients with blood-heat syndrome of psoriasis vulgaris, with a good safety profile.
6.Analysis of influential factors and the construction of a risk prediction model for tigecycline-related drug-induced cholestatic liver disease
Lina LIU ; Jianqing WANG ; Lun ZHANG ; Jun YU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(20):2555-2560
OBJECTIVE To analyze the influential factors of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease (DIC) related to tigecycline (TGC), and establish a prediction model for the risk of this adverse reaction. METHODS Data of 707 hospitalized patients who received TGC treatment in our hospital from August 2022 to August 2024 were collected and randomly divided into training set (n=566) and test set (n=141) at a ratio of 8∶2. Prediction variables were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC, and a nomogram prediction model was drawn based on the above factors. The prediction performance of the model was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) and its area under the curve (AUC). The accuracy of the model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curves. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model were evaluated by decision curve analysis. RESULTS Among the 707 patients, 93 patients developed DIC, with an incidence rate of 13.15%. Gender, age, high-dose administration of TGC, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole were independent risk factors for the occurrence of TGC-related DIC (P<0.05). The AUC of the training set model was 0.745 (95%CI: 0.687-0.801), with a sensitivity of 76.6% and a specificity of 60.3%. The AUC of ROC curve of the test set model was 0.762 (95%CI: 0.650-0.900), with a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 72.0%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for the training set, the χ 2 value was 5.187 and P was 0.737; and for the test set, the χ 2 value was 9.980 and P was 0.266. The mean absolute error of the calibration curve for the training set was 0.012, and for the test set, it was 0.038. The risk threshold range for the training set was 4%-45%, and for the test set, it was 4%-28%. CONCLUSIONS Age, gender, high-dose administration of TGC, ICU admission, duration of medication of TGC, and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole are independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC. The established TGC-related DIC risk prediction model has good prediction performance and accuracy.
7.Menaquinone-4 exerts a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice by alleviating ferroptosis
Lu YE ; Fan ZHAO ; Qianqian HUANG ; Jiayi ZHANG ; Jianqing WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(1):121-128
ObjectiveTo investigate whether menaquinone-4 (MK-4) can exert a protective effect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice by alleviating ferroptosis. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding, adult male ICR mice, aged 8 weeks, were divided into Control group, MK-4 group, CCl4 model group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour), and MK-4+CCl4 group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour), with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the Control group were given intraperitoneal injection of an equal dose of corn oil; the mice in the MK-4 group were given intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg MK-4 solution, followed by an equal dose of corn oil after 1 hour; the mice in the MK-4+CCl4 group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour) were given intraperitoneal injection of 40 mg/kg MK-4 solution, and after 1 hour, the mice in this group and the CCl4 model group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour) were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.3 mL/kg CCl4 solution, with samples collected at 6, 12, and 24 hours. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of mouse liver; Prussian blue staining was used to observe iron accumulation in liver tissue; a biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT); related kits were used to measure the levels of tissue iron content and the oxidative stress indices malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in liver homogenate; RT-PCR was used to measure the expression levels of ferroptosis marker genes (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 [ACSL4], prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 [PTGS2], and glutathione peroxidase 4 [GPX4]) and iron metabolism-related genes (hemojuvelin [HJV], transferrin receptor 1 [TFR1], and ferroportin [FPN]), and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression level of GPX4. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsIn the aging study, compared with the Control group, the CCl4 model group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour) had significant increases in liver weight coefficient and the serum levels of ALT and AST (all P<0.05), and HE staining also showed that liver injury gradually aggravated over time. Meanwhile, compared with the CCl4 model group (6-hour, 12-hour, and 24-hour), the MK-4+CCl4 (12-hour) group had significant reductions in liver weight coefficient and the serum levels of ALT and AST (all P<0.05), with a reduction in the necrotic area of liver tissue, and therefore, 12-hour mouse tissue samples were used for detection in the following study. Compared with the Control group, the CCl4 group had a significant increase in MDA and a significant reduction in GSH (both P<0.05), and compared with the CCl4 group, the MK-4+CCl4 group had a significant reduction in MDA and a significant increase in GSH (both P<0.05). Compared with the Control group, the CCl4 group had significant increases in the key ferroptosis indices ASCL4 and PTGS2 and a significant reduction in GPX4 (all P<0.05); compared with the CCl4 group, the MK-4+CCl4 group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of ASCL4 and PTGS2 and a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of GPX4 (all P<0.05). Western blotting showed that compared with the Control group, the CCl4 group had a significant reduction in the protein expression level of GPX4 (P<0.05), and compared with the CCl4 group, the MK-4+CCl4 group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of GPX4 (P<0.05). Prussian blue staining showed that compared with the Control group, the CCl4 group had a significant increase in iron accumulation; after MK-4 intervention, compared with the CCl4 group, the MK-4+CCl4 group had a significant reduction in iron accumulation. As for the measurement of iron metabolism genes in mouse liver, compared with the Control group, the CCl4 group had a significant increase in iron content, significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of FPN and HJV, and a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of TFR1 (all P<0.05); after protection with MK-4, there was a significant reduction in iron content, significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of FPN and HJV, and a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of TFR1 (all P<0.05). ConclusionMK-4 intervention in advance can alleviate CCl4-induced ALI in mice, possibly by inhibiting ferroptosis and improving the expression of iron metabolism-related genes in mouse liver.
8.Mechanism of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in inducing cholestasis and liver injury in mice
Jiayi ZHANG ; Yun YU ; Fan ZHAO ; Lu YE ; Jianqing WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(5):1003-1008
Objective To investigate the mechanism of bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)in inducing cholestasis and liver injury in mice.Methods In the in vivo experiment,adult female ICR mice were randomly divided into control group(corn oil)and DEHP group(200 mg/kg/d),and a model of cholestasis was established by intragastric administration for 4 weeks.After blood and liver tissue samples were collected from all mice,a biochemical analyzer was used to measure the level of total bile acid(TBA)in serum and the liver,and a microplate reader was used to measure alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT);HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the liver;RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the liver;liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to measure the bile acid profile in the liver of mice.In the in vitro experiment,AML-12 mouse hepatocytes were cultured and treated with DEHP(250 μmol/L),DCA(125 μmol/L),and CDCA(125 μmol/L)for 24 hours,and RT-PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups;a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups,and the LSD-t test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results The in vivo experiment showed that compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the serum levels of TBA,ALP,and GGT and the level of TBA in the liver(the t values are respectively-4.396,-5.109,-8.504,-3.792 and-7.974,all P<0.05,).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in cholic acid,chenodeoxycholic acid,taurocholic acid,deoxycholic acid,and ursodeoxycholic acid(the t values are respectively-2.802,-3.177,-2.633,-2.874 and-2.311,all P<0.05).HE staining of the liver showed that the mice in the DEHP group had enlargement of the portal area,bile duct deformation,inflammatory cell infiltration around the bile duct,and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in the liver(the t values are respectively-2.539,-2.823 and-4.636,all P<0.05).The in vitro experiment showed that the actual difference in hepatocyte viability after 0-1 000 μmol/L DEHP treatment does not exceed 15%,but there were significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α after treatment with DEHP at different concentrations of 125 μmol/L,250 μmol/L,and 500 μmol/L(all P<0.05).Compared with DEHP stimulation alone,the combined stimulation of CDCA and DEHP upregulates the cytokine in hepatocyte IL-1β mRNA levels(P<0.01);the combined stimulation of DCA and DEHP can significantly increase the cytokine in hepatocyte IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels(all P<0.01).Conclusion DEHP exposure can cause cholestasis and induce liver inflammation in mice,possibly by promoting the production of toxic bile acids and the secretion of inflammatory factors.
9.Protective effect of folic acid against cholestatic liver injury in mice caused by bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate exposure
Mengzhen HOU ; Yun YU ; Qianqian HUANG ; Lun ZHANG ; Wenkang TAO ; Yue JIANG ; Jianqing WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(10):2062-2069
Objective To investigate the protective effect of folic acid against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)exposure and its mechanism.Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into control group,high-dose folic acid(H-FA)group,DEHP group,DEHP+low-dose folic acid(DEHP+L-FA)group,and DEHP+high-dose folic acid(DEHP+H-FA)group,with 6 mice in each group.The mice in the H-FA group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given folic acid by gavage at the corresponding dose,and those in the control group and the DEHP group were given an equal volume of PBS solution by gavage.After 2 hours,the mice in the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given corn oil containing 200 mg/kg DEHP,and those in the control group and the H-FA group were given an equal volume of pure corn oil,by gavage for 4 weeks.Body weight and food intake were recorded every day,and blood and liver tissue samples were collected.A biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total bile acid(TBA)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP);HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of liver tissue;kits were used to measure the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the liver;LC-MS/MS was used to measure serum bile acid profiles;Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with hepatic bile acid metabolism.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the daily food intake of the mice in the DEHP group decreased significantly,and the body weight decreased significantly from day 10(P<0.05),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had basically unchanged body weight and daily food intake(P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in liver weight index and the serum levels of TBA and ALP(all P<0.05),with enlarged portal area,bile duct deformity and hyperplasia,and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue;compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant reduction in liver weight index(P<0.01),and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TBA and ALP(P<0.05),with a significant improvement in liver histomorphology and structure after folic acid intervention.Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had a significant reduction in the content of SOD(P<0.05)and a significant increase in the content of MDA in the liver(P<0.01),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the content of MDA and SOD(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the serum levels of α-muricholic acid(α-MCA),β-muricholic acid(β-MCA),deoxycholic acid(DCA),lithocholic acid(LCA),taurocholic acid(TCA),taurodeoxycholic acid(TDCA),tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA),tauro-β-muricholic acid(T-β-MCA),tauro-α-muricholic acid(T-α-MCA),taurohyodeoxycholic acid(THDCA),and taurolithocholic acid(TLCA)(P<0.05)and a significant reduction in ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)(P<0.05);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of DCA,LCA,TCA,TDCA,TUDCA,T-β-MCA,T-α-MCA,THDCA,and TLCA(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P<0.01)and significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CYP7A1 and MRP2(P<0.01);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P<0.05)and a significant increase in the protein expression level of MRP2(P<0.05),and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of CYP7A1(P<0.05).Conclusion Folic acid has a protective effect against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by DEHP exposure,possibly by regulating bile acid synthesis,catabolism,and transport and maintaining bile acid homeostasis.
10.Molecular Mechanism Study of Compound Dihuang Granule in Treating PD Rats with Yin-Deficiency and Dynamic Wind Syndrome by Ubiquitin-Proteasome System
Ziwei LYU ; Jianqing LIANG ; Xingling WANG ; Guangjie SUN ; Jiancheng HE ; Yongqiang KANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;40(6):608-617
OBJECTIVE To explore the molecular mechanism of Compound Dihuang Granule in treating Parkinson's disease(PD)with yin-deficiency and dynamic wind syndrome by regulating the changes of ubiquitin-proteasome system-related proteins.METHODS SPF male SD rats were randomly selected as normal control group and sham operation group,13 rats in each group.The remaining rats were treated with 6-hydroxydopamine lateral brain injection to damage the substantia nigra to establish PD yin-deficien-cy and dynamic wind syndrome rat model.The established rats were randomly divided into model group,madopar group(150 mg·kg-1),low,medium and high dose groups of Compound Dihuang Granule(1.75,3.5,7 g·kg-1),13 rats in each group.Each group was given drugs by intragastric gavage for 28 d.The general conditions and neurobehavioral manifestations of the rats were observed;the expression of ubiquitin(UB),ubiquitin activating enzyme(UBE1),ubiquitin conjugating enzyme(UBE2A)and ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase(UCH-L1)positive cells,protein and mRNA expression levels in the damaged lateral stria-tum of the brain of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot and qPCR methods;changes of dopamine(DA)content in the damaged lateral striatum of the brain of rats were detected by ELISA.RESULTS There was no significant difference in general conditions between the normal control group and the sham operation group,and there was no significant difference in the number of ro-tations,suspension time and number of moving grids.Compared to the sham-op group,the model group rats showed poor spirit,irrita-bility,limb tremor,slow movement,dark yellow fur,less food intake,reduced body weight;the modeling increased number of rota-tions,decreased hanging time and number of moving grids(P<0.01),significantly decreased expression of UB,UBE1,UBE2A,and UCH-L1 positive cells,mRNA and protein expression levels in the damaged lateral striatum(P<0.01),and significantly decreased DA content(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the general condition of the rats in the madopar group and Compound Di-huang Granule groups was improved,the number of rotations was reduced,the hanging time and number of moving grids were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of UB,UBE1,UBE2A,and UCH-L1 positive cells,mRNA and protein expression levels were increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the DA content was increased(P<0.01);behavioral tests and the expression levels of various in-dicators were most significantly improved in the madopar group and the high-dose Compound Dihuang Granule group(P<0.05,P<0.01),and there was no statistical significance between the two groups.CONCLUSION Compound Dihuang Granule may play a role in treating PD yin-deficiency and dynamic wind syndrome by regulating the expression of ubiquitin-proteasome system-related proteins,reducing abnormal protein aggregation,and thus alleviating DA content deficiency,and the high-dose Compound Dihuang Granule has the best effect.


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